About VISTA 2017

Opportunities and Challenges in Paralympic Sport Science and Sport Medicine Support

Toronto, Ontario, Canada will be hosting the eighth VISTA conference from 20-23 September 2017. The theme of the conference is "Opportunities and Challenges in Paralympic Sport Science and Sport Medicine Support". The VISTA conference, hosted by the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario, is designed to provide a platform for sport scientists and researchers to meet with experts in the field of sport for athletes with impairments to discuss, exchange, and gain advanced knowledge in this area.

VISTA Objectives

• To provide a forum for exchange on current information, research and expertise related to Paralympic Sport and the Paralympic Movement.

• To enhance and promote cross-disciplinary professional interaction among sport scientists, coaches, athletes and sport administrators.

VISTA 2017 is organised around the theme: "Opportunities and Challenges in Paralympic Sport Science and Sport Medicine Support." The theme will be discussed in keynote presentations, invited symposia, and free communications will cover key issues such as the socio-economic determinants of Paralympic participation and success; classification; technology, biomechanics and engineering; athlete health and performance; the integrative approach to the preparation of a Paralympic athlete or the athlete’s career; and athlete and coach education in both summer and winter sports.

The organisers

The 2017 event is organised by the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) and the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO). The Canadian Paralympic Committee’s vision is to lead the development of sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. The Canadian Sport Institute Ontario is committed to the pursuit of excellence by providing world-class programs, services, and leadership to high performance athletes and coaches to enhance their ability to achieve international podium performances. CSIO offers high performance athletes a range of sport science and sport medicine services including nutrition, physiology, biomechanics, strength & conditioning, mental performance, sport therapy, and life services. CSIO also delivers programming and services to National and Provincial Sport Organizations and coaches to work towards building a stronger sport system in Ontario and Canada.

History

In 1993, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) felt that there was an urgent need to increase knowledge pertaining to elite sport for athletes with an impairment in the international arena. As a result, the concept of VISTA, which means a long succession of events, emerged.

The first VISTA Conference was held in Jasper, Alberta, Canada at the Jasper Park Lodge in May 1993. At this Conference, 163 international authorities convened to discuss issues pertinent to sport for athletes with an impairment. The delegates included researchers, administrators, trainers, coaches and athletes. A variety of plenary and interactive sessions were organised in the areas of performance. These included: exercise physiology, advances in training techniques, technical developments, sports medicine, classification, integration, ethics, organisation and administration.

The German Sport University in Cologne, Germany, staged the second VISTA Conference in September 1999. In this Conference, the overall concept of the VISTA ’93 Congress was retained. Once again researchers, administrators, coaches and athletes discussed optimal ways of implementing “theory into practice” in the areas identified above.

Four years later the third VISTA Conference was held in September 2003 at the Swedish Development Centre for Sport in Bollnäs, Sweden. The theme of this Conference was “Youth in Disability Sport” and was deemed a great success by all attendees.

Bonn, Germany, the home city of the IPC has staged the last three VISTA conferences in 2006, 2011 and 2013.

The theme for the fourth conference, held between 6-7 May 2006, was “Classification – Solutions for the Future”. For two days, 210 participants discussed the future of classification in the Paralympic Movement.

“A Multidisciplinary Approach to Paralympic Success” was the theme of the fifth VISTA staged between 31 August–3 September 2011. Over 200 participants engaged in a highly effective dialogue between scientific and professional experts, coaches, administrators and athletes.

In 2013 “Equipment and Technology in Paralympic Sports” was the theme for the sixth VISTA which took place between 1-4 May.

The stunning Spanish city of Girona hosted the seventh VISTA conference from 7-10 October 2015. The theme of the conference was "Securing the future for young para-athletes".

The Sport Canada Research Initiative (SCRI) Conference, hosted by Canada’s national Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC), is the leading research conference focusing on sport participation research. The purpose of this event is to gather together policymakers, practitioners and sport researchers to share their knowledge and expertise to maximize the practical applications of sport participation research.

Located in the heart of Canada’s largest and the world’s most diverse city, MaRS is uniquely placed to lead change. We bring together educators, researchers, social scientists, entrepreneurs and business experts under one roof. Founded by civic leaders, we have a mission that is equal parts public and private — an entrepreneurial venture designed to bridge the gap between what people need and what governments can provide. MaRS works with an extensive network of partners to help entrepreneurs launch and grow the innovative companies that are building our future.

Accessibility Innovation Showcase

Now in its third consecutive year, the Accessibility Innovation Showcase (AIS) is an initiative of the Ontario Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development and Growth and the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario. An official event of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017, the AIS will feature more than 40 interactive displays of innovative technologies and devices developed by Ontario-based companies and organizations to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities. The event program also features a themed speaker series along with entertainers and performers. The AIS will take place from 25-26 September at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen St. W. and is open to the public free of charge. #OntarioAIS